Sony Webbie MHS-PM1 Camcorder Review

This year, Sony entered – or re-entered, some might say – into the ultra-compact budget camcorder market with the release of its Webbie HD camcorders—the MHS-CM1 and MHS-PM1 ($169 MSRP). This is the relatively new product category dominated by a single brand, the Pure Digital Flip. Sony attempted an earlier foray in 2007 with the NSC-GC1 Net-Sharing Camera, which met with little critical success. But Sony is back, and the electronics juggernaut decided on a two-pronged attack this time. Two completely different body designs separate the CM1 and PM1. While both offer HD video in a compact body, the MHS-PM1 is the truly pocket-portable version. The camcorder has an upright design that emulates the Flip and its imitators. The PM1, however, includes a unique swiveling lens feature that sets it apart from the pack. The lens can rotate up to 270-degrees on a vertical axis, helpful if you want to do some self-shooting, capture footage at high angles, or use the camcorder as a webcam.

The MHS-PM1 records HD video at 30 frames per second (30p) and offers three video resolution options: 1440 x 1080, 1280 x 720, and 640 x 480. The inclusion of a 1440 x 1080 resolution option is another feature unique to the Sony Webbie HD camcorders, as most other ultra-compacts top out at 1280 x 720. The MHS-PM1 also has decent still image capability and can take up to 5-megapixel still photos. In contrast, the Flip line of camcorders do not have the ability to capture still images. The MHS-PM1 has a stationary, 1.8-inch LCD on its back side, which is a bit small even for an ultra-compact camcorder. Both the Flip UltraHD and Kodak Zx1 have 2-inch LCDs. The MHS-PM1 is available in three colors: purple, orange, and silver. As a result of the clever design, optical zoom was lost, but it does have a 2x digital zoom.

While the MHS-PM1 succeeds with its rotating lens innovation, it fails when it comes to simplicity and ease of use. The popularity of camcorders like the Flip Mino and Flip Ultra stem from the fact that they're so darn easy to use. Of course, the MHS-PM1 is simpler than a traditional camcorder, but it has too many options, menus, and settings to be considered safe for technophobes. The camcorder also has a somewhat clunky design. Many of the buttons feel cheap (especially the zoom toggle) and some of them don't line up naturally with your thumb when you hold the camcorder.

The PM1's problems with simplicity were most apparent when we attempted to use its built-in software. The camcorder comes with PMB Portable, which is a simple program meant to transfer your clips right from the camcorder and onto the internet via sites like YouTube, Shutterfly, Daily Motion, etc. The software works well for the most part, but its installation process was messy and confusing—plus, the program doesn't work with Macs. Compared to the easy installation experience we went through with the Flip camcorders, the MHS-PM1 was a headache. The software had too many extraneous components that only functioned to muck up the installation process.

The MHS-PM1 comes with a removable lithium-ion battery that recharges via a wall-plug adapter. While the camcorder does have a DC-input, it doesn't ship with an AC adapter that connects to the port. This means when the battery dies, you must remove it and recharge it before you can use the camcorder again (unless you have an extra battery). This can be annoying if you desperately need to get footage off the camcorder and you don't have time to wait for the battery to charge.

Performance (read in-depth lab performance at CamcorderInfo.com)
Performance probably isn't the item on a consumer's checklist when it comes to buying an ultra-compact camcorders like the MHS-PM1, but it's still a significant component. The MHS-PM1 did fairly well on our color and sharpness tests, but it had trouble with motion and low light sensitivity. Overall, the camcorder performed at roughly the same level as the MHS-CM1, although the CM1 had a few advantages because of its bigger, optical zoom lens. The Flip UltraHD had a better low light performance and lower noise levels than the MHS-PM1, but the the PM1 bested it in sharpness and color accuracy.

Comparisons (read in-depth comparisons at CamcorderInfo.com)
There's no shortage of ultra-compact budget camcorders to choose from. The first camcorder to look at is the PM1's sister model, the MHS-CM1. The biggest difference between the two camcorders is shape and size, with the PM1 being the smaller, more compact model. The CM1 is a far more versatile device, however. It offers a 5x optical zoom, a tele macro option for focusing close-up shots, and a small video light to help out in low light situations. The performance of the two camcorders isn't drastically different, so deciding between the PM1 and CM1 shouldn't be too difficult. If portability is key, go with the MHS-PM1, but if you don't care about shape or size, the MHS-CM1 has more to offer.

There's also the popular Flip series of camcorders that have built their reputation on simplicity and intuitive design. The Flip MinoHD is probably the most similar to the MHS-PM1 as far as size and weight are concerned, but the slightly larger Flip UltraHD is also comparable. If you're looking for the easiest camcorder out there, you should probably stick with a Flip. The MHS-PM1 does offer more features (including still image capability and the rotating lens), but it cannot match the Flip's simplicity.

Another intriguing option is the Kodak Zx1, which is the only ultra-compact budget camcorder that offers multiple frame rates for recording video (30p and 60p). The Kodak is simple, but it has a horrible button design and layout that can be frustrating to use. It does have a rugged, water-resistant construction, however, which is a perk for people who want a durable camcorder they can take anywhere.

For a more in-depth review, visit the Sony MHS-PM1 Review at our partner CamcorderInfo.com